ICMEC Briefing Highlights Financial Impact
ICMEC Australia will brief the Australian Parliament on 25th June 2026 about the financial and human costs of child sexual exploitation. This session aims to highlight a coordinated response to this pressing issue.
Organised by ICMEC Australia, the briefing addresses the economic strain child exploitation imposes on health, justice, and law enforcement sectors. Investing in prevention is emphasised as a means to reduce long-term expenditures.
Statistics reveal that one in four Australians are victims of child sexual abuse, leading to significant lost productivity. Therefore, the briefing will advocate for increased funding for offender deterrence programmes and early intervention services.
“Online child sexual exploitation affects every part of the system children move through, and the response required is comprehensive,” stated Dannielle Kelly, Head of Government Affairs at ICMEC Australia.
Emphasising a collective approach, ICMEC Australia’s briefing will include inputs from law enforcement, industry, frontline services, youth advocacy, and research, all advocating for substantial investment in prevention.
Event Details and Key Speakers
Scheduled at Dame Enid Lyons Alcove, Parliament House, Canberra, the briefing titled ‘The Cost Australia Can’t Afford’ will run from 12:30pm to 2:00pm. Key speakers include Colm Gannon, CEO of ICMEC Australia, and Satara Uthayakumaran, a youth advocate.
ICMEC Australia works as a not-for-profit organisation focused on preventing child sexual exploitation by bridging technology, industry, policy, and child protection.
The parliamentary briefing aims to strengthen the case for a systemic response to online child sexual exploitation. Effective measures to protect children across Australia are the primary focus.
After the briefing, policymakers will consider the proposed solutions as part of a broader strategy to address child sexual exploitation. The collaborative effort aims to create a safer environment for children, strengthening safeguards and disrupting harm through coordinated systems.
Last updated: 29 June 2026, 11:46 am
